Tips for less energy use

• Posted on 29 March 2022
• 0

Your swimming pool is heated by a heat pump and is being used more and more often, you hear! But how do you economise with your pool heat pump? We give the most economical basics and 3 important tips on how to heat it.

What if electricity prices in Spain keep rising?

Tip 1: Make the right choice between replacement and repair.

Old heat pumps are real energy consumers. So it is best to replace them with a recent, more economical model. Is your model older than 10 years? Then it pays to replace it with a more recent model. Heat pumps have become much more energy efficient thanks to the new smart inverter technology.

This heat pump is equipped with the new inverter technology that automatically controls the speed of the compressor and the fan. Thanks to this variable speed, you are already able to save considerably on your energy costs. A traditional on/off heat pump always runs on full power while in most situations this is not necessary at all. The inverter makes it possible to heat the pool by using energy from the outside air. An inverter heat pump is a lot smarter and more efficient. This type of heat pump recognises earlier that the temperature of the water drops, because it is always on. Subsequently, this inverter heat pump can bring the water temperature back up to the required level with minimal force. This results in a higher efficiency and energy savings of up to 60%.

If you have an old heat pump, it is best to have it inspected by an experienced expert first. 

Tip 2: Use your pool efficiently.

"A heat pump makes your swimming season last longer".

But in this case, it is best to adapt the swimming season, avoiding as much as possible the cold periods and nights to warm up. A heat pump is a device that works on the basis of fresh outside air. The more warm air the pump has around it, the better for its efficiency. During very hot periods, the refreshment will do you good and you can switch off the pump or lower the set temperature.

If you have a cheaper rate, use the internal timer for the warm-up periods. You also significantly reduce electricity consumption by retaining the heat! The best way to do this is with a summer tarpaulin. Always put it on your pool when you are not swimming and the heat will stay in the water much easier, because 80% of the heat loss is through the water surface when you do not cover it with a tarpaulin. If you want to reduce the costs of heating your pool, that is where you can make the biggest profit. In addition, if you do not have the correct installation, the heat will flow through the return pipe at the bottom of your pool coping and evaporate even faster.

If you want to buy a heat pump, get advice from a pool heating specialist.

Tip 3: Proper installation and maintenance of your heat pump is a necessity.

- Therefore, never place your unit in a closed space, but in the garden and preferably as close to the pump housing as possible. This way, you can be sure that the cold air is discharged far enough and the inflow of fresh air is also guaranteed. If an object were to be placed against the exhaust, this would actually cause the cold air to be pushed upwards and pass back through the heat pump via the inlet. Then it will cool down your pool instead of heating it. 

- Your electrical network of your pump house must be suitable for the heat pump to heat up efficiently and quickly. The thickness of wires in cables is crucial for the inverter heat pump and it will not perform well if it is run through a cable that is too thin.

- Only with enough flow and the right bypass kit fitted will the heat pump be able to function properly and not repeatedly switch off and have to be reset.

- Keep the evaporator clean, so that all the air can escape. A timely backwash of your sand filter improves the operation and keeps the water running in the heat pump clean.

If you follow all these tips, you will surely save some energy and a little money on your pool heating.

If this article about heat pumps has been interesting for you, you can always leave your reactions and comments below.

Have lots of fun swimming!

CRISTAL BLUE

""More swimming through technique"